Lib Dems 'to lead 80 MPs plotting to stage Parliamentary vote calling for second Brexit referendum'

The Liberal Democrats are leading a charge of more than 80 MPs planning to stage a Parliamentary vote calling for a second referendum on Brexit, reports claim. Led by Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, the MPs now intend to force a vote on the terms of the UK's departure from the EU in the form of another referendum.

Farron has already pledged to vote against triggering Article 50 and is now set to lead an 84-strong group of MPs planning to stage a new vote. Theresa May's government is currently appealing against a High Court decision that affirmed Parliament must give approval before Article 50 - the two-year process by which the UK will leave the EU – is triggered.

On Friday 11 November, Farron announced that unless a referendum is called his party will vote against the UK triggering Article 50, which would begin formal negotiations between the United Kingdom and Brussels.

He told the BBC: "Article 50 would proceed but only if there is a referendum on the terms of the deal, and if the British people are not respected then, yes, that is a red line and we would vote against the government."

The Lib Dem leader described a potential deal as a "stitch-up" that no one actually voted for, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We believe what started with democracy in June must not now end up as a stitch-up deal being imposed on the British people that absolutely no one voted for."

An unnamed Lib Dem source told The Telegraph: "We are laying down a marker that we are the alternative voice on Brexit. We will vote for Article 50 as long as the public get a vote on the deal. There will be two options – you accept the deal as it is or you vote to remain."

Farron's support is said to stem from several different parties besides the Lib Dems, including the SNP, SDLP and up to 20 Labour backbenchers. Labour has said they will not block Article 50, but reports suggest some rebel MPs may plan to vote against a government decision to trigger it.

On 5 December, Nigel Farage is set to lead a march of up to 100,000 Eurosceptic through London on the same day that Supreme Court judges will hear the government's appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision.